On-Page SEO Boot Camp: How to Find and Rank with Striking Distance Keywords
I. Introduction
Welcome to the On-Page SEO Boot Camp, where we focus on smart, data-driven strategies to grow your organic search traffic efficiently. Whether you’re an SEO beginner or a content marketer looking for quick wins, this guide will help you unlock one of the most underrated techniques in the SEO world: optimizing for striking distance keywords.
So, what exactly are striking distance keywords? In simple terms, these are keywords your website already ranks for—but not on the coveted first page. Typically, these keywords fall between positions 11 to 30 in Google’s search results. With the right on-page SEO adjustments, you can move them to page one and dramatically improve your visibility.
Why is this a quick SEO win? Because you’re not starting from zero. Your page is already indexed, potentially already has backlinks, and may even be getting some traffic. A few strategic changes can push it into a higher-performing position.
In this On-Page SEO Boot Camp, we’ll walk through a complete, step-by-step method to identify these keywords, enhance your content, improve internal linking, and ultimately target the right keywords that deliver measurable results. We’ll also show you how to use free tools like Google Search Console and SEMrush’s limited-access version to uncover hidden opportunities.
Let’s get started with defining our core focus: striking distance keywords.
II. What Are Striking Distance Keywords?
Striking distance keywords are search terms for which your web pages already rank on the second or third page of search engine results. These keywords have the potential to climb to the first page with minimal optimization, making them a goldmine for SEO professionals and content marketers.
These keywords are often:
- Ranked between positions 11 and 30
- Moderately competitive
- Backed by content that already exists and has some visibility
Why Are They Considered Low-Hanging Fruit?
Because they don’t require you to create entirely new content or build links from scratch. You’re already halfway there. These pages are indexed, may already have some authority, and are recognized by Google. The work required to nudge them from page two or three to page one is often significantly less than creating new content that competes from scratch.
Key Benefits of Striking Distance Keywords
- Easier to rank: The groundwork is already done.
- Faster results: You’ll likely see improvement within weeks.
- Improves visibility and traffic: Moving from page 2 to page 1 can dramatically increase your CTR.
- Lower cost: Requires less content creation and link-building effort.
When integrated with a solid keyword research framework, striking distance keywords can offer an immediate SEO performance boost without overwhelming your resources.
III. Why Target These Keywords?
Targeting striking distance keywords makes practical and strategic sense for a variety of reasons. Let’s explore why this approach deserves a place in every SEO campaign.
Faster ROI Than Building from Scratch
Creating new content can be time-consuming and uncertain. By targeting keywords your site already ranks for, you reduce the guesswork and cut down on the time it takes to see results. Ranking improvements for these keywords often take days or weeks rather than months.
Leverage Existing Authority and Indexing
Pages ranking on pages 2 or 3 already have a level of trust and recognition from Google. You’re building upon a foundation rather than starting at square one. This is why the On-Page SEO Boot Camp recommends beginning with these keywords when planning content refreshes.
Close the Gap With Competitors
Chances are, your competitors are outranking you with only slightly better content or stronger keyword placement. By targeting these underperforming keywords, you can identify what they’re doing right and adapt your content accordingly. Sometimes, updating a single section, adding a comparison chart, or improving internal linking is enough to move the needle.
Cost Efficiency
It takes fewer resources to upgrade a page than to launch a new one. When you already have internal links, some backlinks, and a URL with history, your content just needs a gentle push—not a full relaunch.
As you refine your strategy, the goal is simple: target the right keywords that have potential for exponential returns with minimal effort.
IV. Step-by-Step: Quick & Smart Keyword Research Process
Effective keyword research is the bedrock of this entire process. Here’s a step-by-step system for uncovering striking distance keywords and turning them into traffic drivers.
Step 1: Identify Underperforming Keywords
Use tools like:
- Google Search Console
- SEMrush Free Account
- Ubersuggest
Filter keywords that rank between positions 11–30. Look for:
- Keywords with moderate difficulty
- Search volume of at least 100/month
- Relevance to your product, service, or niche
Export the keyword list and begin filtering by clicks, impressions, and CTR.
Step 2: Find High-Potential Pages
Once you’ve gathered a keyword list, group them by URL. You’ll often find a single page ranking for multiple striking distance keywords. These are prime targets for optimization.
- Prioritize pages with multiple ranking keywords
- Check performance in Google Analytics (bounce rate, time on page)
- Choose pages with decent engagement metrics for maximum ROI
Step 3: Locate Hub Opportunities
Some pages can be expanded into full hub pages or resource centers.
- Turn blog posts into cornerstone content
- Add topic clusters and supporting articles
- Improve navigation with internal linking to these pages
Step 4: Analyze Content Gaps
Use tools like:
- Surfer SEO
- Clearscope
- Manual competitor analysis
Identify what top-ranking competitors include that you don’t. Add missing elements:
- Long-tail keyword variations
- Common FAQs
- Related tools, stats, or examples
By using this structured keyword research method, you’re setting your content up for measurable, scalable success.
V. Content Optimization & Internal SEO Improvements
Once your targets are identified, it’s time to implement on-page changes. The On-Page SEO Boot Camp focuses on three key areas:
1. Add Internal Links
- Link from related high-authority pages
- Use descriptive anchor text
- Avoid overstuffing keywords
- Ensure links are crawlable (avoid JavaScript-triggered links)
Internal linking helps distribute authority and signals relevance to search engines.
2. Refresh and Enrich Existing Content
- Add missing topics and Striking Distance Keywords naturally
- Use schema markup for FAQs, reviews, or how-tos
- Improve UX: short paragraphs, bullet points, updated visuals
- Update title tags and meta descriptions with improved click triggers
3. Build Hub Pages and Subcontent
If a topic ranks for multiple keywords, build a hub page:
- Example: “SEO Tools for Beginners” becomes the central hub
- Sub-pages: reviews, guides, tools comparison, tips
This structure boosts topic authority and increases internal linking potential.
4. Optimize Metadata and Headers
- Include primary keyword “On-Page SEO Boot Camp” in H1 and at least one H2
- Add secondary keyword variations in H3s or content body
- Keep title tags between 50–60 characters and meta descriptions under 160 characters
By combining content depth, technical enhancements, and semantic relevance, you significantly increase your chances of moving into the top 10 results.
VI. Best Practices for Content Expansion
Expanding content doesn’t mean fluffing it up. It means adding value for the user while aligning with SEO best practices.
Focus on Search Intent
Determine what users want when they search:
- Informational: Looking to learn something
- Transactional: Ready to buy or sign up
Match content format, tone, and CTAs accordingly.
Add Visual Content
- Infographics to summarize complex ideas
- Charts or comparison tables for data-heavy topics
- Embedded videos or GIFs to boost time-on-page
These elements increase engagement and send positive signals to search engines.
Improve Readability
- Use short sentences and simple language
- Break sections using H2s and H3s
- Add bullet lists and numbered steps
Optimized content should be skimmable, engaging, and visually appealing.
VII. Final Optimization Tips
Now that your content is live, the optimization process doesn’t stop. Follow these steps to maintain and improve rankings.
Track Results
- Use Google Search Console and Analytics to monitor rankings
- Check impressions, CTR, and average position
- Document changes and analyze improvements over 30, 60, and 90 days
A/B Test Metadata
- Create 2-3 variations of title tags and descriptions
- Monitor CTR and adjust based on performance
- Tools like RankMath or Yoast SEO offer built-in testing options
Continue Internal Linking
- Link from all new blog posts to updated target pages
- Include links in email newsletters and social content
- Review quarterly and add new contextual links as needed
Avoid Keyword Cannibalization
Make sure no two pages are competing for the same Striking Distance Keywords. Use canonical tags or merge content when necessary.
VIII. Conclusion
The beauty of striking distance keywords is that they allow you to get more from what you already have. Instead of chasing new content constantly, you refine, improve, and expand existing assets for faster gains.
This On-Page SEO Boot Camp has walked you through a structured process:
- Identify opportunities with smart keyword research
- Optimize content with internal SEO improvements
- Expand strategically with hubs, visuals, and content depth
When you target the right keywords, growth becomes scalable and predictable. Remember, page two of Google is not a graveyard—it’s an opportunity.
Start small, stay consistent, and watch your rankings rise.
Need help implementing this strategy? Reach out to our SEO specialists and level up your on-page game today.